Finch Hatton Gorge walk, Queensland: Is it safe to swim?

Several accidents have occurred at Finch Hatton Gorge in Queensland. But don’t jump, don’t dive, don’t climb the rocks, and the waterfall pools along the Finch Hatton Gorge walk are largely safe for swimming. There are no crocodiles here.

Finch Hatton Gorge near Mackay in the Whitsundays region of Queensland is one of the highlights of the Eungella National Park. It’s increasingly popular, too – an estimated 100,000 people visit each year.

The appeal of Finch Hatton Gorge is pretty obvious. Waterfalls combine with lush rainforest flora and big volcanic boulders.

How long is the Finch Hatton Gorge walk?

The main walking track is around 4.2km return, and first heads to the Araluen waterfall about halfway along. This track continues to the Wheel of Fire Cascades, another big waterfall. Be warned – this section is steeper, and involves several stairs.

There are several rock pools along the way, which are highly tempting to swim in. That said, the big pool under the Wheel of Fire Cascades tends to be most popular.

Hiking at Finch Hatton Gorge in the Eungella National Park, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Finch Hatton Gorge swimming safety

But is it safe to swim at Finch Hatton Gorge? Well, not entirely, no. Five people have died here since 1976, and several more have injured themselves – some severely. The Queensland Parks and Forests service urges visitors to not climb rock faces, and take care when entering the water. This is particularly the case when the rocks and paths are wet.

Signs warn against diving and jumping in the water. Put simply, you don’t know how deep the water is and what you’ll hit when you land. It’s also advised not to enter after heavy rainfall – the water can flow fast, with strong currents.

Three great Mackay experiences to book in advance

(Highly recommended ✅) Whitsunday Islands boat cruise – with snorkelling and paddleboarding.
Cape Hillsborough sunrise tour – meet wallabies on the beach.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finch Hatton Gorge waterfalls tour.

Finch Hatton Gorge crocodiles

This said, if you enter the water carefully, most of the time it’s perfectly fine to swim at Finch Hatton Gorge. There are no crocodiles at Finch Hatton Gorge, either. The elevation’s too high and the water too fast-flowing.

Should you desire more adventure at Finch Hatton Gorge, you can try ziplining. Forest Flying has a flying fox course near the gorge, which allows you to whizz 25 metres above the rainforest canopy.